MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE & COMMITTEE OF DBYC​In response to the current health crisis regarding the spread of COVID-19, the Commodore & Committee of DBYC has discussed and agreed on a range of measures to balance our twin aims of continuing to run our sailing program and protecting the health of members and their families.

We have considered much advice from a range of sources including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Australian Government and Australian Sailing. It should be noted that we are fortunate to be a sport that allows for a natural separation between participants and that personal contact is not generally necessary to participate in sailing. Our view is, providing all sensible precautions are observed (see below), the risk to our members and guests at the Club remains low. Along with all safety precautions, the owner/skipper and crew of each boat are ultimately responsible for deciding to participate.

We are also guided by the evidence that participation in sport, community interactions and outdoors activity delivers a range of physical and mental health benefits that we are keen to maintain.

Key Points:

The DBYC sailing program will continue as planned with specific measures taken to protect everyone’s health.

This decision may be altered at any stage if there is a further change of circumstances or official advice – this is a week-to-week prospect and we will continue to advise members on a minimum weekly basis.

We need all members and guests of DBYC to play their part in ensuring the health of everyone present at DBYC.

Specific Measures:

If you have travelled internationally in the last 14 days you are not permitted to attend the Club.

If you have any flu-like symptoms, a temperature, a cough, are sneezing or have any other symptoms of a cold, regardless of whether you have travelled overseas, you are not permitted to attend the Club.

If persons within your immediate family, workplace or friendship group display flu-like symptoms or are diagnosed with COVID-19 you must not attend the Club for 14 days.

If you feel unwell within 14 days after visiting DBYC please advise the Club immediately (contact secretary@dbyc.com.au).

We ask you to follow the personal hygiene advice issued by the Government with regard to hand washing.

Avoid physical contact as best as possible – no handshakes - and maintain the recommended “social distancing” of 1.5 metres between each person.

DBYC will be increasing our cleaning regime across the Club but we can only do so much – the responsibility to act sensibly sits with those who enter the Club either for sailing, participation or social reasons. Everyone who enters the club is expected to follow current hygiene advice, including:

Covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue

Disposing of tissues immediately in a landfill bin

Washing your hands often with soap and water, including before /after eating, after going to the toilet and following any cough, sneeze or nose/mouth contact

Using alcohol-based hand sanitisers

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces

Use single-use or freshly washed water bottles and when filling a bottle, ensure it is not in contact with the tap/faucet.

In terms of our specific club practices and customs:

It will be every individual’s choice whether they attend DBYC or take part in sailing activities, particularly for those that participate in two-person boats.

We will require all people at the Club to record their presence in a register provided to track attendance

Where practical we will operate single-person support boats although using pairs of immediate family members where available will be an option.

We will only sell/supply pre-packaged food via the Galley Canteen and will not offer a lunch service.

Although we will continue to announce results & a debrief of racing after each sailing session, this will be kept brief, managed to allow for social distancing and will not involve shared food.

Further planned gatherings in the season schedule (e.g. Pack-up day, EGM & Prize Giving) will be considered on a case-by-case basis in the coming weeks and members will be notified of any extra measures taken. We are currently operating under limits of 100 people in one room and 500 people outside although this regulation may be altered in future.

​We ask that our people, members and guests follow these guidelines and show care for each other during this time. Each of you can play your part in respectfully reminding others of these practices if they unconsciously act outside the recommendations – in particular, parents are asked to monitor their children’s actions and encourage safe practices.

It goes without saying that this is a very challenging period for all of us. We remain committed to doing all we can to keep our Members safe and we look forward to still seeing you at the Club.

Members and friends of DBYC are all welcome to the Club's best event of the season - "Cocktails on the Deck".This year is the clubs 110 year anniversary with the function in planning at the moment. Check back later for more details.

DBYC Sailor Chloe Harper made the long trek over the Nullabor to compete at the recent Worlds & Nationals in Fremantle, WA

I have recently returned home from the 420 National and World Championships in Fremantle, Perth. My skipper (Lucy Gray) and I sailed for 12 days and it was very challenging. Most days were over 20 knots and the sea state was massive. We competed against 146 boats from 17 different countries. The experience proved to be a huge learning curve, and we can’t wait to use the knowledge we have accumulated on Port Phillip Bay and around the country in 2018.

The 75th Sharpie Nationals started with a long 2,100km drive from Melbourne to Yeppoon in North Queensland. After 3 days in the car, FIGJAM Racing Team was ready to sail… except that the boat wasn’t in great condition and required a few repairs. These repairs took slightly longer than anticipated due to “Rad Robnell’s” chatty nature and meant Chloe, Dad and I left the beach only 10 minutes before racing started… 3 days in a row. Safe to say, tensions were running a little high, but nevertheless, we made it to the start line just in time.

The first few days of the regatta were met with windy conditions and a big swell, leaving lots of boats swimming rather than sailing. Despite a few scared remarks from Chloe as we flew (at times, literally) down the reaches, it was fantastic fun. I am proud to say that FIGJAM managed not to capsize during any of the races, however we did have a rather embarrassing one in the shallows that required lots of assistance from our fellow sailors.

By day 3, the wind had eased and trusty FIGJAM was holding together; no more repairs! We were finally getting on the water with plenty of time to spare. Lighter conditions also meant that the focus moved from survival sailing to race tactics. We had a few great starts and a few terrible ones, which were luckily all general recalls. There were good decisions and bad ones but overall we were getting results in the high teens and we were pretty happy sailors.

My highlight of the regatta was Race 6: we were in our usual position (about 20th) after the first lap but decided to go hard left (everyone else went right) and rounded the top mark in 2nd place!! We were soon overtaken by 2 other boats despite Dad waving frantically and yelling, “Harry! Harry! Look we’re coming SECOND!” We managed to hold our position down the reaches but were caught by two more boats while beating to the finish – 6th is still a record result for Team FIGJAM!

As well as the sailing, Sharpies are renowned for their social calendar and this National Carnival was no exception. With Welcome Night, States Night and Presentation being the official events for the regatta, New Years Eve and the two lay days were also enjoyed by sailors and families alike. Boats were auctioned off in the Calcutta at Welcome Night; matching team uniforms were displayed at States Night; everyone washed off the sunscreen and scrubbed up for Presentation; many beers were chugged and “Eagle Rock” was played on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, Chloe and I spent New Years Eve in bed with food poisoning… although I hear it was a fun night for everyone else.

Just when you thought we’d all be sick of boats, a group of us decided to charter a catamaran to sail out to North Keppel Island on the lay day. Our hosts were incredible, providing a full “surf and turf” lunch, snorkeling gear and a tiny RIB to take over to the island. We spent the day swimming, snorkeling, relaxing and eating and although it was an overcast day, there were some pretty impressive tan lines on display after.

Going away to National Championships each year is special for any sailor. You get to learn new skills, visit exciting places and catch up with friends that are sometimes only seen once a year. The Yeppoon Nationals was an amazing experience that ticked all the boxes and was a trip down memory lane for many sailors who competed there 24 years ago. Bring on the 76th Sharpie Nationals in Adelaide!

Then have we got a solution for ALL of you! DBYC is starting a Stand-Up Paddleboarding group on Sunday mornings.Sunday 21 January is the first session. Start time for getting out on the boards is 10:30am so please arrive with enough time to be ready. If you don't have a SUP there are a number of windsurfer boards available to use and we can lend you a paddle.

This will be a relaxed, informal session followed by a coffee at the club. Look forward to seeing you there, with your SUP and paddle if you have one!